The After-Christmas-Lull

I usually experience that 'after-Christmas-lull', when after all the hectic preparations, and after all the activity, you breathe a sigh of relief, enjoy the lull after Christmas and the New Year and sit and savor the memories. Well, I am sitting and savoring memories, but I really didn't feel that any preparations were hectic this year, whatever I didn't get done I just resolved that it didn't need to be done, and since our extended family has been doing 'Secret Santa' gifts for the past few years, we don't have the pressure of shopping for and wrapping gifts for tons of people anymore. So I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this Holy Season.

I also have enjoyed getting to know each one of you better over the year, and I've even met a few new bloggers. And although quite a few bloggers have 'dropped off the radar', I am I hoping that this year they will return at least once in awhile to fill us in on their 'going-ons'!

Anyway, I thought maybe some of you might need a 'lull' right about now, so I'd like to return the favor that so many of you have been kind enough to extend to me this past year. I have been hosted by so many bloggers and treated to so many wonderful things. You have invited me into your homes and your lives either through picture posts, or the pictures you've painted in my mind through your words.
I have been spending some time in your kitchens as you share delicious recipes, I've peeked in on your home renovations and house projects, I've loved seeing the 'before and after' pictures, I've sat in your living rooms and have enjoyed time next to a crackling fire, I've admired your Christmas decorations and your decorating style. I've enjoyed your thrift finds and the many ways you choose to use and display them, I've seen your beautiful gardens and woods, I've gotten to enjoy some fabulous tablescapes, and I've come away with many good ideas! You've taken me along on your various travels, I've seen so many sights, and have gotten to enjoy so many new experiences, and I've even gotten to move to a new home with you! I've been to so many of your parties and family gatherings, and I've joined in your celebrations, and I've gotten to watch your children and grandchildren grow.
Oh, and I almost forgot ~ I've even gotten to have a nice, long soak in your tub!

We've talked about so many things: Faith, and home, and family, and friends, loved ones still here, and those that have passed. We've reminisced, we've shared plans for our future, we've supported each other through rough times, and we've celebrated the good times with each other.
It's been a year of friendship I will treasure, and I look forward to another year of visiting with each other.

But for now, during the lull, I'm inviting you into my home:



Come right this way ~



Up this path ~



And then up these steps ~



To the front door ~


Don't bother to knock, just open the door and let yourself in ~




Here some of Jayden's Christmas art work will welcome you ~




Come on into the hall ~


And pass through the dining room ~


(We don't have fine furnishings, in fact, most of our furniture is old, used, second-hand, and there are even a few pieces that have been rescued from other people's garbage.)


And now through the living room ~

(Yes, all our decorations are still up. Last year I took them down before 'Little Christmas' and I got lots of complaints from some family members, so this year they will stay put until Epiphany.)

And come around back to the kitchen ~




We can sit here at the counter ~

My favorite place to sit and snack!

(This little table in the foreground was picked from the garbage, and the little chair was given to us by a friend when her family was cleaning out her grandmother's house, these are two favorite pieces of furniture!)

We can enjoy a few slices of olive bread and brown bread dipped in guinness reduction ~



With a glass of wine ~

Red for you? Or white?


(I've read that Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio are not considered very good wines by wine connoisseurs, in fact I think they are labeled as 'underwhelming' by wine connoisseurs, and they've also been called "Davy Crockett" wine by some. I am not a wine connoisseur, a fine bottle of wine would be wasted on me. And I LOVE Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio!)


Or would you rather enjoy a Guinness?!

(I also love a really cold glass of beer, but it has to be ice cold, and if it's bottled beer, I prefer to skip the glass and drink it right from the bottle!)


Or if you are visiting in the early morning, we can have a cup of tea and some delicious pumpkin bread my sister made, along with some left-over Christmas cookies ~




We can sit awhile, just we two, and you can tell me about your latest adventures. Fill me in on your Christmas, on your family and your friends, tell me about the past year and your plans for this new one.